The Sonnet

1. The Sonnet

2. What makes a sonnet a sonnet? • It is a 14 line lyric poem. • A lyric poem expresses the poet’s feelings. • Every line must rhyme with at least one other line. • There are two main types: • the Italian form as developed by Petrarch • the English form as developed by Shakespeare

3. The Italian Sonnet • The Italian Sonnet is comprised of two sections – the octave (8 lines) and the sestet (six lines). • The octave poses a problem or describes a situation. • The rhyme scheme of the octave is often ABBAABBA. • The sestet solves the problem or comments on the situation. • Some typical rhyme schemes for the sestet are CDCDCD or CDE DCE.

4. A sonnet John Milton wrote when he turned twenty-three. This is the octave: How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth, A Stol’n on his wing my three and twentieth year! B My hasting days fly on with full career, B But my late spring no bud or blossom show’th. A Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth, A That I to manhood am arriv’d so near, B And inward ripeness doth much less appear, B That some more timely-happy spirits endu’th. A

5. A sonnet John Milton wrote when he turned twenty-three. About the octave: Milton’s octave presents a problem: he hasn’t accomplished much for his age. Also, despite his grown-up appearance, he isn’t as mature as some other people (the timely-happy spirits) at the age of twenty-three.

6. A sonnet John Milton wrote when he turned twenty-three. This is the sestet: Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow, C It shall be still in strictest measure ev’n D To that same lot, however mean or high, E Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Heav’n; D All is, if I have grace to use it so, C As ever in my great task-Master’s eye. E

7. A sonnet John Milton wrote when he turned twenty-three. About the sestet: Milton solves the problem by saying that it is no problem to be a late-bloomer. God controls Milton’s destiny, and the passage of time is not important to God since all time is eternity (as ever) to God (Milton’s task-Master).

8. The Italian Sonnet • This form requires that you use a lot of words that rhyme. • This rhyme scheme is more challenging in English than in Italian because our language has fewer words that rhyme with each other. • Therefore, William Shakespeare adapted the sonnet form to require fewer words with the same rhyme.

9. The English Sonnet • When Shakespeare changed the rhyme scheme, he also changed the pattern of problem-solution posed in the octave-sestet sonnet. • Shakespeare’s sonnet uses three sets of four lines called quatrains and a final set of two lines called a couplet. • This form allows a three part argument or three illustrations of the same problem and then a short two-line conclusion or comment on the problem.

10. Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73 That time of year thou mayst in me behold A When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang B Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, A Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang. B In me thou see’st the twilight of such day C As after sunset fadeth in the west; D Which by and by black night doth take away, C Death’s second self that seals up all in rest. D

11. Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73 con’t. In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire, E That on the ashes of his youth doth lie, F As the deathbed whereon it must expire, E Consumed with that which it was nourished by. F This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong, G To love that well which thou must leave ere long. G

12. About Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73 • Shakespeare gives three examples of what is bothering him – he feels old and tired. • He compares himself to the season of winter. • He compares himself to twilight of the day. • He compares himself to a dying fire that will be choked by the ashes of the wood that once fed it. • In the couplet, Shakespeare quickly says that his friend loves him all the more because he sees that Shakespeare will not be around forever.

13. The English Sonnet • Notice the rhyme scheme of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG This is a typical pattern for an English sonnet. • An English sonnet does not have to follow this pattern; the only rule is that there has to be a recognizable pattern of rhymes linking the lines of the stanzas into a unit. • Typically, an English sonnet is written in iambic pentameter. This means that each line contains five groups of syllables called “feet.” Each iamb consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.

14. Iambic Pentameter • Try these two lines about ordinary topics in your iambic pentameter table: • My mom asked me to take the trash outside. • I’ll have to stay inside again today. • Now try these two lines are from the Don McLean song “Vincent”: • With eyes that know the darkness in my soul. • In colors on the snowy linen land. • Can you hear the pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables in these lines?

15. Iambic Pentameter Luke Morales, one of Mrs. Patton’s students in 2009-2010, had a brilliant idea for writing iambic pentameter. He created a table like this:

16. Iambic Pentameter • Once Luke created his table with 10 columns, he labeled the stressed and unstressed syllable at the tops of the columns as shown on the previous slide. • Next, he created 14 rows – one for each line required by the sonnet form. • Then he knew he needed to complete the table he created – one syllable in each cell on the table. Very clever, Luke!!

17. Luke’s Table

18. The Race by Luke Morales, Spring 2010

19. Iambic Pentameter • Some sonnets have small irregularities of meter. Some lines might feel like they begin with a strong syllable or even two strong syllables. This is not a bad thing and can even lend importance to that particular line. Overall, however, the sonnet should stick to iambic pentameter.

20. Sensory Images & Figurative Language • Sonnets, like all poems, are meant to engage and evoke feelings in the reader. Using words that cause people to use their five senses as they read is called imagery. Help your reader to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the things that you write about in your sonnet. • Using figurative language such as simile, metaphor, alliteration, hyperbole, personification, and allusion can help you communicate ideas to your readers in the few words that a poem allows.

21. Subjects for Sonnets Sonnets can be used to express any sort of emotion. They can be serious or light-hearted. Several examples on a wide variety of topics follow this slide.

22. Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips’ red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damasked, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And in some perfumes is there more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. I love to hear her speak, yet well I know That music hath a far more pleasing sound: I grant I never saw a goddess go,-- My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground. And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare.

23. A comment on Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130… You may be glad to know that Shakespeare was not writing poorly of his mistress. He was making fun of Italian love sonnets with their long lists of their mistresses’ attributes.

24. And now, some modern sonnets written by Kansas City area students…

25. The Sea That Started Life in Times of Oldby Lauren Brannan (Indian Woods Middle School)2nd Place Winner 2010 Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Sonnet Writing Contest The world we know was once a lifeless rock, But water came to fill the empty space. Within a billion years on the Earth’s clock, New life emerged to start the human race. Then people came to govern and control. Harpoon in hand we made the sea submit, An endless list: the animals’ death toll, Not thinking of the crimes that we commit. Today we still cannot release our hold; We use the ocean as our dumping ground. The sea that started life in times of old Can end the lives of those who are not sound. Beware – The rising tides and crashing roar Are creeping quickly towards all nations’ shores.

26. Wilderness Has No Boundsby Jessica Franson (Indian Woods Middle School)Honorable Mention 2010 Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Sonnet Writing Contest When the sun sets behind the mountain’s peak, And the day has slowly slid into night; When the people no longer dare to speak, And, in the clear firmament, stars shine bright; When the wolf’s low howl is heard far and near, And the tide pool’s ebb is steady and slow; When crickets and locusts are all you hear, And the moon’s radiance is the sole glow; When the street lamp shines on an empty street, And the vivid butterflies have flown home; When the wind blows softly through uncut wheat, And the cunning foxes begin to roam; I flee to the place where everything seems To stop and make way for breath-taking dreams.

27. Ode to a Paper Airplaneby Forest Osage Roberts (Red Bridge Elementary School) You fly, a glider in the sky above, With wings that stretch so wide to grasp the air. You soar atop the trees just like a dove. You swoop so gaiily and have not a care. You drift through wind beyond your own command, A leaf that floats upon the air and sky. You think you’ll never have to land. You stay above the heavens grand and high. But in that graceful flight there is an end. You smash into the ground with hateful force. And I do not attempt to try to mend, I make a new replacement for your course. Great beauty often doesn’t end so grand; It rather dies, so injured, in my hand.

28. Baby Amandaby Alan Lawing (Raymore Elementary School)2nd Place Winner 2001 Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Sonnet Writing Contest Slowly moving, cooing and spinning, While playing, I nibble her big round cheek. A beautiful smile that she is grinning Shows the dangerous teeth that just now peek. Held down by the straps of her safety seat, Her little body stretches and reaches, Carefully opening her mouth to eat, Oatmeal cereal with smashed-up peaches. Her gooey, sticky hands go here and there, Looking out for something to grab on to: A curious dog or a schoolboy’s hair. Be ready to hide from her diaper too. Thank goodness she’s tired and in her bed. I have some peaches on top of my head.

29. Shall I Compare Thee…?by Cameron Beattie (St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School)1st Place Winner 2001 Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Sonnet Writing Contest Shall I compare thee to a summer’s sunrise? When You wake up happy for the new day, When you step outside for the next surprise, But like summer dawns, you melt into day. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? With the sky so blue and the clouds so light, The kind you wish to keep always this way, But like all summer days, you melt into night. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s night? Where you listen to the crickets singing, With dark blue skies and white stars bright, But like summer nights, you dawn into morning. Shall I compare thee to these times? Shall I flatter thee with my quiet rhymes?

30. My Saviorby Rachel Ringeisen (Indian Woods Middle School)2nd Place Winner 2001 Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Sonnet Writing Contest My Father made a perfect universe. With sin, we shattered it like broken glass. He cast us out of Eden with a curse, Then sent his Son to pay for our trespass. A baby born to humble virgin wife Came to reclaim us whom to sin were slaves. He showed us how to live a perfect life, Murdered by men whom He had come to save. He died, defeating Satan for all time, And rose again with triumph. Life anew! Into the heavens he began to climb. “Believe in me! That’s all that you must do!” I praise Him for what he has done for me. One day I’ll live with Him eternally.

31. Love to Grandma and Grandpa in Heavenby Elizabeth Schwein (Indian Woods Middle School)3rd Place Winner 2001 Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Sonnet Writing Contest My grandma and grandpa came from Scotland To give their children opportunities. World War II had been hard on their homeland. The Scots folks made their own communities. They all came on the Queen Elizabeth. My momma was their first American. I wasn’t born before my grandpa’s death. Ya’ know, my grandma was a lot of fun. My grandma was all my heart could take up: We had fun together, we’d sit and rhyme, And she let me do her hair and make-up, But I think of my grandpa all the time. Now that they’re both gone, it happened so fast. So fast…It seems like a dream from the past.

32. Sunsetby Kristin Winkler (Indian Woods Middle School)Hon. Mention 2001 Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Sonnet Writing Contest The fiery yellow sun shone so brightly, While it continued its journey due West. As dusk approached the sky became nightly. The setting sun looked at its very best. The colored sky enwrapped the golden sun. Brilliant blues and purples began to swirl. The colors danced as if they had much fun. The dull greens and yellows were in a whirl. The sun becomes a thing of the near past, And darkness blankets the cold earth for now. For these magic moments will never last. But they will soon come back again somehow. So sunsets are a very lovely show, Yet true beauty will only come and go.

33. For the Second Bestsby Abby Chappell (Indian Woods Middle School)Hon. Mention 2001 Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Sonnet Writing Contest In band today in second chair I sat. I listened to the first chair “honk” so well. Ms. Smitko gave my shoulder a small pat. She meant to ease the feelings, but they dwelled. In gym today I ran as fast as I could. My sneakers put me in front of the rest. I was running just as fast as I e’er would, But somehow I still came in second best. To be the best is something I cannot. In everything I do, I’m almost great. I’ll always be the second in the lot. Sometimes I think I cannot bear the weight. I wish my best could be enough for me, But until I’m the best it will not be.

34. Upon Observing My Room Todayby Aaron Hamrie (Knob Noster High School)2nd Place 2001 Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Sonnet Writing Contest Thou art like a municipal city dump, Piled high with forgotten and misused things, Some rotting, others broken, all in a lump, All this, while through it heavy metal rings. So art thou like mine own private art gallery, Adorned with mine own paintings which some may consider crude, Furnished with attractive objects as allowed by my salary, Plastered with posters of women, none of whom are nude. Like a great disorderly library art thou as well, With volumes of knowledge stacked high here and there, My seeking-place for knowledge, my escape, never my cell; One might even find a classic work under some underwear. Above all else, thou art mine own room, In which I rest, wake, soar, and sometimes zoom.

35. The Seasons of a Treeby Kristen Cunningham (Indian Woods Middle School) In Spring the tree is new and cheery bright, With buds so full in lovely pink and white. Up in the branches birds sing sweet and clear, While building nests for young whose birth is near. The fresh green leaves absorb the golden sun. They’re signaling that summer has begun. The sun is hot, but trees provide cool shade, Refreshing like a glass of lemonade. Then suddenly all green has gone to bed. Now all the leaves turn yellow, orange, and red, A golden fire that burns against the sky. As winter nears the branches start to sigh, Then colors fade away and leaves do fall, And for some time there are no leaves at all.

36. Sonnetsby Kristen Cunningham (Indian Woods Middle School) Sonnet writing is harder than it looks. How could someone write these and fill whole books? Writing in a meter was new to me. Maybe someday a poet I will be. Writing about nature was not a reach. It’s easy to include figures of speech. That’s why I chose to write about trees. I found that the adjectives came with great ease. My family is so glad I’m through. Tapping rhythms no longer shall I do. Using my knowledge I composed this poem. Sonnets are now as comfortable as home. I now appreciate Shakespeare’s works more. It has new meaning it never had before.

37. Now it is your turn… Don’t be afraid. Give sonnet writing a try. You can write about almost any topic. Remember a few basic guidelines for writing English sonnets: • 14 lines: 3 quatrains and 1 couplet – leave space between the quatrains and couplets • There must be a recognizable pattern of rhymes within each stanza, often… ABAB CDCD EFEF GG • Iambic pentameter – 5 sets of stressed and unstressed syllables in each line Have Fun!

38. Created by Laura PattonIndian Woods Middle School29 January 2010Updated 29 April 2010All Indian Woods poets whose works are used as examples in this presentation created their poems for Mrs. Patton’s English class in 2001 or for Mrs. Patton’s Communications class in 2010.